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18 Things That Happened In My 18th Year

20.6.17

1. Drinking, Partying and A Social Life

If you know all about me and the past couple of years, you'll know that for a long time I was very anti-social. I would hide away, not wanting anything that even resembled a social life. Now, in my 18th year, I was determined to change that.

18 is the year where you're legally allowed to do all the stuff you've been wanting to do/ already doing, for the past 2/3 years, so it gives you a triumphant feeling when you can finally roll up to a club, hand over your provisional license and get in without any hassle whatsoever.

This year, I wanted to give my social life as much as a chance as possible and nights out with my fabulous friends have been a huge part in that.

2. First Holiday with ya friends

Last year, after my 18th birthday, me and my friends all jetted off to Amsterdam together. This was the first time I'd ever been away with my friends, and also the first time I'd ever been away without my family - so I did find it incredibly exciting.

That trip was one of my favourite experiences. I have fab friends and that trip was just a total breathe of fresh air. Love love love!

3. Meeting Your Idols

Okay, this past year has been a mental one when it comes to meeting people I've idolized for years.

I've bumped into bloggers on the street, met them at events, had them recognize me before I've recognized them (TOTALLY CRAZY, RIGHT?!), and even done photos shoots and modelled for them.

If 11 year old Holly knew this, she'd go absolutely mental hahaha.

4. Making New Friends

I'd definitely say that I've made a lot of new friends this year. I've really put myself out there, thrown myself into every social situation and I can happily say that I don't regret it one bit.

From bloggers, to other models etc etc, the friends I've made this year have been absolutely incredible. I bloody love them.

As an avid reader of my blog, you've probably seen the various collaborations I've been doing over the past year. I've been working with the likes of New Look, Urban Outfitters, Christian Louboutin and Smashbox, and it has just been a total dream!

I hope that my blog can continue to grow and that I can continue to work with more amazing people!6. Insane Modelling Experiences

This year has been a big one for me in terms of modelling. From jetting off to Belgium and Prague for the two biggest jobs I've done, to hopping on the train down to London for castings and the best beauty shoot ever, I've well and truly put my heart and soul into it this year.

I feel incredibly lucky in terms of the opportunities I've been given and the shoots and jobs I've experienced. I can't wait to share them all with you in the future!7. Blogging Events

Ya gal has attended many an event hasn't she?! I've been back and to to London, popping into events for Boohoo, Topshop, PushPR, and sooo many more.

Doing this has been so fun! It's one thing I really wanted to give myself more of an opportunity to do this year, and I'm so glad I've done it.

8. Dating

Ahhh, dating.

I started going on dates back in October/November last year, which was incredibly brave of me considering I'm probably the least flirtatious, confident around men, kind of gal you'll ever meet. I'd never even kissed anyone until last year, so can you imagine how petrified I was stepping out my front door, about to embark on my first ever date?!

I can happily say that right now, I have someone very wonderful in my life, who has brought so much light into my days, which is so wonderful that I can't even put it into words. I guess, let's just say, you know how I've wanted that 'piss your pants' kind of laughter back in my life? It's back.9. Tackling London and The Tube

This was one huge goal for this year. After modelling in London for a whole year, I had still yet to tackle the tube properly. I was solely relying on Uber (what a fool I was haha).

Now I'm literally like a tube ninja and as lame as that might seem to those of you who have always been masters of the underground, I'm very proud of myself.

My past couple Christmas' had been quite crappy for me. I'd been very down and dealing with a lot of stuff, and so this last Christmas I was determined to enjoy it.

And do you know what? I had a lovely Christmas - definitely the best I'd had in a long time. Even though there were a few blips here and there, I enjoyed it as much as humanly possible, and that's all I wanted.11. I Cut My Bloody Hand Open (no pun intended)

Oh dear god, was this traumatic or what?!

On New Years Eve, after having the time of my life singing songs from Wicked on karaoke, and dancing around with my friends, I got way too carried away and ended up cutting my hand open on a glass (round of applause for my clumsiness please). After waddling over to the bar with my bloody hand and passing out for a minute or so, it's now left me with one hell of a scar on my hand.

I hate the look of the thing, but I suppose it is a good memory of a very very fun night.

12. Learning Not To Care

This year I have well and truly embraced the 'I don't give a fuck' mentality. I embrace the idea of 'you either like me or you don't' and I hope that I can continue to do that basically for the rest of my life.

Learning not to care as much has literally made me come into my own person, finally. From everything to no longer wearing make up or dressing a certain way, to removing people from my life that don't serve me any good, I've learnt who I am, who I want to be and where I want to go, and it feels really damn good to know that.

13. Learning To Be Alone

Also over the past year, I discovered that it's totally fine for me to be the complete and utter introvert I am and love my own company. It's fine for me to want space, time to think and do my own thing. It's okay to isolate yourself sometimes, as long as there's other people there occasionally to balance things out.

14. Style Development

Especially over the past few months, my style has developed a lot.

In the beginning, I would describe myself as very minimal and monochromatic, but you look at me now, almost 19 years old, and I'm experimenting with fashion in anyway that I can, and it's probably the best I've ever felt in my clothes.

I highly recommend throwing caution to wind and wearing whatever the fuck you want.

I invested in cameras and lenses this year, started working with more photographers and challenging myself to make more 'top quality' content.

I think I'm slowly finding my own style and my own look with my images which is fab too!

Compare my blog photos from May 2016 to May 2017 and the difference is HUGE, and that makes me incredibly happy. I love to see how much I've managed to progress and grow as a content creator - it's mind blowing.16. Long Hair and No Mascara

Say no more to the days of the shoulder length 'do' and twiggy, mascara laced eye lashes. This year, I have become the most basic of basic bitches. I no longer bother with mascara, despite how amazingly long my eyelashes look with it on, and I've also been growing my hair, which is now the longest it has been in years.

I think not only has this increased my confidence in myself, but it's helped me book more modelling jobs, be more unique (which is all I ever want to be) and truly embrace my weird and wonderful side.17. London Fashion Week

Whist 18, I finally attended a bit of LFW which was something I had wanted to do for YEARS. And, I mean YEARS.

It was so nice to finally head down there and experience the atmosphere and all of the incredible style too. I didn't actually attend any shows, but just being there amongst it all was fabulous!

Hopefully I can go again when I'm 19!18. Ups and Downs and Realization

The past year has been filled with highs and lows, and ups and downs, and I think that these have made me realise a lot of things. And, do you know what?, in the words of Kylie Jenner, I have been 'realising things' without even bloody knowing it sometimes.

The experiences I've had over the past year, have truly made me the person I am right now, and I think I really bloody like this person. She's fun and giggly, creative and weird, and she just wants to be herself and not give a fuck, and I weirdly admire that about myself.

"You begin where I leave off"

Bring on my 19th year, I feel like it can only get even better from here.

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Love this post! It's refreshingly reflective and so lovely to hear everything Hol. You're doing incredibly well, you're hard-working lass who really is inspiring me to the max lately. The red background in some of the photos are just ace!! Also yay yay yay for the new fella! So happy for you! xxx